So the time is upon us. I'm like a kid on Christmas eve.
The Stanley Cup playoffs.
Where legends are made, heroes are born. Not just on the ice, but on the poolie front as well.
So upon us now is the Bleacher Report NHL Playoff Pool. Participating in this year's pool are myself, and three other talented writers. Bryan Thiel, Danielle Marchell, and Thayne Hallyburton. Here is a quick rundown of the rules
- Before the beginning of each playoff round, the four of us will make fearless predictions on who we think will win the series and in how many games
- Points will be awarded as follows: Two points for picking the winning team, and one point for picking the correct number of games
Also, points can be given out individually, for instance is you have the team right, but the number of games wrong, you will still receive two points, and vise versa.
Now, Onto it, the winning pool (wishful thinking on my part of course.)
(1)Montreal Vs (8) Boston
It seems that every year these two teams both make the postseason dance, they end up tangling with one another.
Boston has a stifling defensive game, but Montreal appears to have the explosive forwards to bust through the trap of the Bruins.
I am usually a subscriber to the theory that the season series doesn't matter, but when one team defeats the other in all eight games, I tend to sing a different tune.
Alot of people who picked Montreal to finish near the bottom of the standings at the start of the year will be doing a complete 180 and choosing them as favourites. I will now take a slice of humble pie, because I am one of them. The Bruins won't get swept, but It'll be the next closest thing.
Prediction: Montreal In 5
(2) Pittsburgh Vs (7) Ottawa
Alot of playoff series' are great because they develop storylines and subplots as the games wear on. Lucky for us, the intensity dial in this one will be turned up from the word go, thanks to two running storylines.
Number one is the fact that the Pens made the playoffs last season, only to be dumped by Ottawa in round one, and have their playoff bubble burst.
Now this season there is Bryan Murray, who insists that the Penguins of Pittsburgh tanked their last game to play the Senators on purpose. (can you blame them at this point?)
Like they should, the Sens appear to be using this as motivation, but will really need a gritty effort if they are to go into the first round without their captain Daniel Alfreddson, as well as two way centre Mike Fisher.
This is still the same Senators team who did march to the Finals last season, so with their backs against the wall, don't expect them to go down quietly.
Goaltending is an issue for both teams, and with two high powered offenses, we may have to buckle the seat belts up for this wild ride.
Prediction: Penguins In 6
(3)Washington Vs (6) Philadelphia
Don't get me wrong, the Capitals are a dangerous team, but let's not have the standings misguide us.
The Washington Capitals finished the regular season with a nice total of 94 points. Their first round counterparts, the Philadelphia Flyers, totalled 95.
1 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Bryan Thiel about 1 year ago
Is it wrong that I want Brent Johnson to start for Washington in the playoffs?
Nice picks man, this will certainly be an interesting post-season to say the least.
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